The Chiefs Must Move On From Eric Bieniemy Now
The Chiefs lose their first game of the season in a game that should have been theirs. Is it time to make a change at Offensive Coordinator?
To be entirely fair to Eric Bienemy, the Chiefs’ loss to the Colts isn’t entirely on him. The main culprit in Kansas City’s loss this past Sunday is the special teams unit. If Matt Ammendola makes his extra point, and a field goal from the same distance later in the game, then the Chiefs win this game. However, he missed both, and it wasn’t even close. This was made especially hard thanks to the turnovers that the punt return team gave up.
Despite only having one turnover on offense, which occurred on the final drive of the game, Kansas City was only able to score a touchdown twice, and both of these scores were thanks to the defense getting turnovers. The offense failed to get any real momentum going all day. Kelce dropped a touchdown and Mahomes missed Marquez Valdez-Scantling on what should have been an easy Touchdown. One thing is for certain, change is needed, and soon.
Chiefs Play-Calling Has Been Questionable
In Week One versus the Cardinals, it seemed as if every play-call was perfect. The Chiefs could do no wrong, and the offense was hitting on all cylinders. The game against the Chargers started smoothly as KC was running at will against the Chargers’ defensive line. However, on 3rd and short the Chiefs decided to run a WR sweep to the outside, despite having success against the interior to that point.
The off tackle with a jet sweep motion to the short side of the field. Asking Kelce to reach Bosa is tough. You need a crack back block with a big TE or an OL in Kelce’s spot. Just tough angles to reach all around. #JacobsEyeInTheSky #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/aM1HrPzlvt — Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) September 19, 2022
From that point, the Chiefs struggled against the Charger’s defense for most of the game. Mahomes was able to pull off just enough magic to score when needed, and Jaylen Watson made the play of the game taking a Justin Herbert pass 99 yards for a touchdown. In the end, the Chiefs came out on top, and that’s all that matters.
However, the play-calling didn’t get better against the Colts and contributed to the loss. The run game was non-existent in this game, and the passing game wasn’t much better. Mahomes missed some plays, Kelce dropped a touchdown, and Justin Watson dropped a big first down. Probably the biggest issue was the offensive line getting destroyed by an average at best Colts defensive line. If the Chiefs’ defense didn’t give the offense several turnovers in great field position, it’s questionable whether or not the Chiefs get in the endzone at all.
Why Did The Chiefs Run Out The First Half?
The absolute most egregious call by Eric Bienemy, which very clearly angered Patrick Mahomes, was the decision to run the clock out to end the first half instead of trying to put up extra points.
Here is the exchange between Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and OC Eric Bieniemy at end of first half. Seems Bieniemy may have made the decision to run the ball on second-and-20 at the KC 36 to bleed the final second-quarter seconds. Chiefs ball to start third. pic.twitter.com/2MwaVi2ayf — Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) September 25, 2022
Whether you go to analytics, poll coaches across the league, or just ask the fans, I believe there is a consensus answer of what to do in this scenario, and it is not to run the clock out. You have arguably the best Quarterback in the league, your defense has played great all day, and even if you fail to score before halftime, it is extremely unlikely that the Colts score.
Yet, despite all that, the call is to hand the ball off at the 36-yard line and let the time run out. Why not at least attempt to get a field goal? Even if you miss it, what does it cost you? I was puzzled by the decision at the time, and Mahomes clearly didn’t get it either.
It’s Time For The Chiefs To Move On
While I don’t think the Chiefs need to necessarily fire Bienemy, play-calling should be stripped. Move Bienemy to the booth, and let Andy Reid take back play-calling. Bienemy is only on a one-year deal, and it feels inevitable that this is his last year in Kansas City, whether he gets a head coaching job or not. This team is too good to lose to a Colts team who struggled to move the ball all day and is missing several key defensive players.
On top of that, the Chiefs clearly need to take a long look at their special teams unit after this week. However, this is the first instance of a “bad” special teams day, whereas the offense has lacked creativity for two weeks in a row. The fight between Mahomes and Bienemy is just the last straw. If the question is ever between Mahomes and an offensive coordinator the answer is going to be Mahomes every single time. If the Chiefs want to get back to the Super Bowl, change is needed.
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